Chance of '13 Haswell entry-mini being quad-core?

MathiasVH · 11:34 AM

Hi guys
What are your thoughts on the possibility of an entry quad-core Mini in 2013?
Is it an inevitable upgrade when compared to the competition
or
Would a quad-core processor and a (supposedly) dramatically upgraded iGPU risk cannibalizing iMac-sales?

maflynn · Feb 27, 2013, 11:11 AM

I'd say pretty slim, apple needs to differentiate the iMac and mini, if its a quad core, then more people will be choosing that over the iMac

blueroom · Feb 27, 2013, 11:14 AM

Quad core, entry level, zero chance. Hopefully amazing battery life will be the benefit as the 22nm process and possibly 3d transistors should keep heat down and speed up.

But this next generation CPU might be software upgradable to unlock cores for a price.

jtara · Feb 27, 2013, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maflynn

apple needs to differentiate the iMac and mini

The iMac has a built-in screen, the Mini doesn't. That's differentiation enough.

The top Mini is already as powerful as any other Mac save for Mac Pro. (And very little different at the low-end of the Pro line, at that.)

I'd expect the processor lineup for the Mini to continue to track those of the notebooks and iMac.

Ice Dragon · Feb 27, 2013, 12:12 PM

I think the setup will be virtually the same and I mentioned this over at Anandtech.

$599 - Dual core i5/4 GB RAM 1600 MHz/HD 4600/500 GB HDD but hopefully more (would like to see them have an option for the Fusion drive)

$799 - Quad core i7/8 GB RAM 1600 MHz (though 4 GB is more likely)/HD 4600/1 TB HDD/(options for Fusion and SSD though hopefully a bigger SSD). If they offer a dual core i7 then hopefully a good discrete graphics chip but I won't hold my breath.

$999 - Same as above except no discrete/dual possibility and two hard drives or two SSDs as an option.

phoenixsan · Feb 27, 2013, 12:26 PM

that a quad-core Haswell is very likely. Entry level? I dont think so....Having said the latter, cannibalizing goes right now, with the delaying and problems of the current batch of 2012 iMacs. And being fair, not ALL users need an iMac or a Mac Pro. Even more.....we not are now in the Post-PC era?....So, too much computing needs are covered with the combo iPad+iPhone...IMHO

Ice Dragon · Feb 27, 2013, 01:03 PM

See there are times I like to be away from my computer hence why I don't own an iPad or iPhone. I am on the internet a lot be it at home or at work and don't always want to be plugged in.

I'd like to believe that someday there will be a low power quad core in the base mini but I just don't see it happening. Apple wants to keep its profit margins up.

Omnius · Feb 27, 2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueroom

Quad core, entry level, zero chance. Hopefully amazing battery life will be the benefit as the 22nm process and possibly 3d transistors should keep heat down and speed up.

But this next generation CPU might be software upgradable to unlock cores for a price.

The mac mini is a desktop computer. It's not a laptop with a battery.

pine88 · Feb 27, 2013, 03:01 PM

No point. The mini is a basic box, its a laptop without a screen. The base model doesn't need more than a dual core. If you need more grunt there is the i7 model anyway. Personally, I'd never get an iMac when the mini does all I need and I have all the accessories to go with it.

philipma1957 · Feb 27, 2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pine88

No point. The mini is a basic box, its a laptop without a screen. The base model doesn't need more than a dual core. If you need more grunt there is the i7 model anyway. Personally, I'd never get an iMac when the mini does all I need and I have all the accessories to go with it.

this is pretty much right on the spot.

Mr. Retrofire · Feb 27, 2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueroom

Quad core, entry level, zero chance. Hopefully amazing battery life will be the benefit as the 22nm process and possibly 3d transistors should keep heat down and speed up.

Yeah, i hope the next Mac mini comes with a really big battery!

;-)

Giuly · Feb 27, 2013, 08:22 PM

You are forgetting something here: Hexa-Core iMacs.

old-wiz · Feb 28, 2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueroom

Quad core, entry level, zero chance. Hopefully amazing battery life will be the benefit as the 22nm process and possibly 3d transistors should keep heat down and speed up.

But this next generation CPU might be software upgradable to unlock cores for a price.

Amazing battery life on a Mac mini??????? I was not aware that there was a battery powered mini.

Ice Dragon · Feb 28, 2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giuly

You are forgetting something here: Hexa-Core iMacs.

Well they've revealed some of the Haswell desktop processors. Do you think the hexa-core get revealed this year or start with Broadwell?

paulrbeers · Feb 28, 2013, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice Dragon

Well they've revealed some of the Haswell desktop processors. Do you think the hexa-core get revealed this year or start with Broadwell?

Nope. Rumor has it, Haswell (with the exception of the Xeon and maybe an i7 Extreme like ivy bridge) will only be quad core.

Ice Dragon · Feb 28, 2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulrbeers

Nope. Rumor has it, Haswell (with the exception of the Xeon and maybe an i7 Extreme like ivy bridge) will only be quad core.

Makes sense, appreciate it.

Count Blah · Mar 1, 2013, 08:49 AM

In that case, looks like the base model will be a dual core i7 of some variety with ZERO upgrade for the CPU, like the current low end mini. The second(non-server) option is going to be a littler more interesting, see as the $$ for the haswell will probably be pretty steep initially. So it might still be quad i7, with a big $$$ to move up to Haswell, with G2/HD4600.

Of course, they could just hold off on upgrading the mini for quite a while, seeing as how it was updated 129 days ago(buyer's guide). If they hold off, then the prices of the 1st generation if Haswells will likely come down enough to start putting them in the mini.

Either way, the mini is NOT going to get the G3 graphics for a LONG time, if ever. The demand would be too great, and would eat into sales of more expensive machines.

Omnius · Mar 1, 2013, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulrbeers

Nope. Rumor has it, Haswell (with the exception of the Xeon and maybe an i7 Extreme like ivy bridge) will only be quad core.

I had heard this too. However, I don't expect the mini with haswell until 2014.
I would be surprised if we saw a new imac before December 2013.

I hate to speculate on the laptop lineup.
I tend to assume the new mac pro will be announced this summer.

Ice Dragon · Mar 1, 2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omnius

However, I don't expect the mini with haswell until 2014.

: ( Bleh, that would be awful.

Omnius · Mar 1, 2013, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice Dragon

: ( Bleh, that would be awful.

I agree but 330-ish days from now would be both in line with the 400-460 day cycle we've seen with mac mini releases recently and simultaneously it would be early 2014.

philipma1957 · Mar 1, 2013, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omnius

I agree but 330-ish days from now would be both in line with the 400-460 day cycle we've seen with mac mini releases recently and simultaneously it would be early 2014.

short cycle july 22nd = 270 days. we can always hope for it!

Omnius · Mar 1, 2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipma1957

short cycle july 22nd = 270 days. we can always hope for it!

All things are possible but I am more expectant of a longer cycle given the recent production issues with the current iMac. By the time the iMacs shipping issues are fully resolved, it will be summer. New Haswell minis would be closely competing in terms of horsepower with the current iteration of iMacs.

I foresee a very angry group of iMac owners and a very skeptical Apple customer base in the event of a short product cycle release for the mac minis(which would be expected to coincide with new iMacs).

philipma1957 · Mar 1, 2013, 07:57 PM

i wonder if apple would drop iMac and lower the price of the t-bolt display. sounds nutty but with the dropping of the dvd drives apple no longer sells an all in one.

Gym Hellwig · Mar 1, 2013, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Count Blah

Of course, they could just hold off on upgrading the mini for quite a while, seeing as how it was updated 129 days ago(buyer's guide). If they hold off, then the prices of the 1st generation if Haswells will likely come down enough to start putting them in the mini.

The mini usually gets new intel CPU's quickly. Why would haswell be any different? The cost of haswell chips is a total non-issue.

BeeJee · Mar 1, 2013, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipma1957

i wonder if apple would drop iMac and lower the price of the t-bolt display. sounds nutty but with the dropping of the dvd drives apple no longer sells an all in one.

The iMac is definitely going to stick around. I think Apple would drop the Pro before the iMac. Honestly it seems like the Mini might be too upgradable for Apple's new standards.

Feb 27, 2013, 11:08 AM	#1
MathiasVH macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Aarhus, Denmark	Chance of '13 Haswell entry-mini being quad-core? Hi guys What are your thoughts on the possibility of an entry quad-core Mini in 2013? Is it an inevitable upgrade when compared to the competition or Would a quad-core processor and a (supposedly) dramatically upgraded iGPU risk cannibalizing iMac-sales? __________________ 17" MBP i5, 8GB RAM, 64GB M4+500GB Optibay, Matte; iMac G4 17"; iPhone 4 16GB; iPad 3 Last edited by MathiasVH; Feb 27, 2013 at 11:34 AM.
	0

Feb 27, 2013, 11:11 AM	#2
maflynn Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Boston	I'd say pretty slim, apple needs to differentiate the iMac and mini, if its a quad core, then more people will be choosing that over the iMac __________________ I know that I know nothing ~ Socrates
	1

Feb 27, 2013, 11:14 AM	#3
blueroom macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada	Quad core, entry level, zero chance. Hopefully amazing battery life will be the benefit as the 22nm process and possibly 3d transistors should keep heat down and speed up. But this next generation CPU might be software upgradable to unlock cores for a price. __________________ My iOS devices are not jailbroken. Bill My Blog
	1

Feb 27, 2013, 12:26 PM	#6
phoenixsan macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2012	Seems to me.... that a quad-core Haswell is very likely. Entry level? I dont think so....Having said the latter, cannibalizing goes right now, with the delaying and problems of the current batch of 2012 iMacs. And being fair, not ALL users need an iMac or a Mac Pro. Even more.....we not are now in the Post-PC era?....So, too much computing needs are covered with the combo iPad+iPhone...IMHO __________________ Mac Pro 2010 3.06 Westmere version, 12 Core 64 GB RAM, 4 TB , iPhone 5 (black)
	0

Mar 1, 2013, 08:49 AM	#17
Count Blah macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sterling, Va	In that case, looks like the base model will be a dual core i7 of some variety with ZERO upgrade for the CPU, like the current low end mini. The second(non-server) option is going to be a littler more interesting, see as the $$ for the haswell will probably be pretty steep initially. So it might still be quad i7, with a big $$$ to move up to Haswell, with G2/HD4600. Of course, they could just hold off on upgrading the mini for quite a while, seeing as how it was updated 129 days ago(buyer's guide). If they hold off, then the prices of the 1st generation if Haswells will likely come down enough to start putting them in the mini. Either way, the mini is NOT going to get the G3 graphics for a LONG time, if ever. The demand would be too great, and would eat into sales of more expensive machines. __________________ I tell you this, no eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn.
	1

Feb 27, 2013, 12:12 PM	#5
Ice Dragon macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2009	I think the setup will be virtually the same and I mentioned this over at Anandtech. $599 - Dual core i5/4 GB RAM 1600 MHz/HD 4600/500 GB HDD but hopefully more (would like to see them have an option for the Fusion drive) $799 - Quad core i7/8 GB RAM 1600 MHz (though 4 GB is more likely)/HD 4600/1 TB HDD/(options for Fusion and SSD though hopefully a bigger SSD). If they offer a dual core i7 then hopefully a good discrete graphics chip but I won't hold my breath. $999 - Same as above except no discrete/dual possibility and two hard drives or two SSDs as an option.
	2

Feb 27, 2013, 01:03 PM	#7
Ice Dragon macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2009	See there are times I like to be away from my computer hence why I don't own an iPad or iPhone. I am on the internet a lot be it at home or at work and don't always want to be plugged in. I'd like to believe that someday there will be a low power quad core in the base mini but I just don't see it happening. Apple wants to keep its profit margins up.
	1

Feb 27, 2013, 03:01 PM	#9
pine88 macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2013	No point. The mini is a basic box, its a laptop without a screen. The base model doesn't need more than a dual core. If you need more grunt there is the i7 model anyway. Personally, I'd never get an iMac when the mini does all I need and I have all the accessories to go with it.
	1

Feb 27, 2013, 08:22 PM	#12
Giuly macrumors 68030 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: That depends whether you ask for timezone, state of mind or GPS coordinates.	You are forgetting something here: Hexa-Core iMacs.
	0

Mar 1, 2013, 07:57 PM	#23
philipma1957 macrumors 603 Join Date: Apr 2010	i wonder if apple would drop iMac and lower the price of the t-bolt display. sounds nutty but with the dropping of the dvd drives apple no longer sells an all in one.
	0

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